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US announces new special coordinator for Tibetan issues
- Under Secretary of State Uzra Zeya will be tasked with restarting dialogue between the Dalai Lama and China, as well as promoting ‘respect for the human rights’ of Tibetans
- Supporters of the Dalai Lama accuse the Chinese government of suppressing Tibetan culture and religion
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The US State Department appointed a high-ranking official as its special coordinator for Tibetan issues on Monday, as Washington seeks to restart long-stalled talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama and gain US diplomats greater access to the region.
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Naming Uzra Zeya – the under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy and human rights – the Tibetan coordinator signalled US President Joe Biden’s commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and addressing environmental challenges facing the Tibetan plateau, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Mandated by Congress, the Tibet coordinator position sat open for almost the entire administration of Donald Trump, before being filled in his presidency’s final weeks by a lower-ranking official. Zeya will also continue in her under secretary role.
High on Zeya’s agenda, Blinken said, would be promoting “substantive dialogue, without preconditions” between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama.
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Chinese police conduct anti-terrorism drill in Tibet
Chinese police conduct anti-terrorism drill in Tibet
Such negotiations concerning the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people’s exiled spiritual leader, broke down in the 2000s and have not restarted since, as Beijing has sought to strengthen its control over the region.
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